Why in News? | चर्चा में क्यों?
English: Nuclear energy has again become highly important for UPSC Prelims because India is pursuing a major expansion of its civil nuclear programme. Government backgrounders released on 28 August 2026 highlighted India's nuclear-energy capacity, indigenous reactor technologies, Small Modular Reactors, the three-stage nuclear programme, applications of radiation technology and the long-term objective of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047.
हिंदी: भारत के civil nuclear programme के बड़े विस्तार के कारण nuclear energy UPSC Prelims 2027 के लिए अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण विषय बन गई है। 28 August 2026 को जारी Government backgrounders में India's nuclear-energy capacity, indigenous reactor technologies, Small Modular Reactors, three-stage nuclear programme, radiation technology के applications तथा 2047 तक 100 GW nuclear power capacity के long-term objective को प्रमुखता से बताया गया।
1. India's Present Nuclear Power Position | भारत की वर्तमान परमाणु ऊर्जा स्थिति
English: As highlighted by the Government in August 2026, India operates 24 nuclear power reactors across seven sites with a total installed capacity of about 8.78 GW. Nine additional reactor units with a combined capacity of about 7.5 GW are under construction. The Government has also approved 10 indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors in fleet mode, while pre-project activities are being pursued for additional Fast Breeder Reactors.
हिंदी: August 2026 की Government information के अनुसार भारत 7 sites पर 24 nuclear power reactors संचालित करता है जिनकी कुल installed capacity लगभग 8.78 GW है। लगभग 7.5 GW combined capacity वाली 9 additional reactor units construction के विभिन्न चरणों में हैं। Government ने fleet mode में 10 indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors को भी मंजूरी दी है तथा additional Fast Breeder Reactors के लिए pre-project activities आगे बढ़ाई जा रही हैं।
2. Target for 2047 | 2047 का लक्ष्य
English: India's long-term policy direction seeks approximately 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047. Nuclear energy is being viewed as an important component of a low-carbon electricity system because it can provide large quantities of electricity continuously and complement variable renewable sources such as solar and wind.
हिंदी: भारत की long-term policy direction का उद्देश्य 2047 तक लगभग 100 GW nuclear power capacity प्राप्त करना है। Nuclear energy को low-carbon electricity system का महत्वपूर्ण हिस्सा माना जा रहा है क्योंकि यह लगातार बड़ी मात्रा में electricity उपलब्ध करा सकती है और solar तथा wind जैसे variable renewable sources को complement कर सकती है।
3. What is Nuclear Fission? | Nuclear Fission क्या है?
English: Nuclear fission is the process in which a heavy atomic nucleus splits into two or more lighter nuclei, releasing energy along with neutrons. These neutrons may trigger further fission events, creating a chain reaction. Nuclear reactors control this chain reaction so that energy is released in a manageable manner and converted ultimately into electricity.
हिंदी: Nuclear fission वह process है जिसमें एक heavy atomic nucleus टूटकर दो या अधिक lighter nuclei में विभाजित होता है और इस दौरान energy तथा neutrons निकलते हैं। ये neutrons अन्य nuclei में fission कराकर chain reaction उत्पन्न कर सकते हैं। Nuclear reactor इस chain reaction को controlled manner में संचालित करता है ताकि released energy को electricity generation में उपयोग किया जा सके।
4. Nuclear Fission versus Nuclear Fusion | Nuclear Fission बनाम Nuclear Fusion
English: Fission involves splitting heavy nuclei, whereas fusion involves combining lighter nuclei to form heavier nuclei with release of enormous energy. The Sun and other stars are powered primarily by nuclear fusion. Commercial nuclear power plants presently depend on controlled nuclear fission, not conventional commercial fusion power.
हिंदी: Fission में heavy nucleus को split किया जाता है, जबकि fusion में lighter nuclei combine होकर heavier nucleus बनाते हैं और बहुत अधिक energy release होती है। Sun और अन्य stars की energy का मुख्य source nuclear fusion है। वर्तमान commercial nuclear power plants controlled nuclear fission पर आधारित हैं, conventional commercial fusion power पर नहीं।
5. Important Nuclear Fuels | महत्वपूर्ण परमाणु ईंधन
English: Uranium-235 is a naturally occurring fissile isotope and is important for nuclear reactors. Plutonium-239 is another fissile material and can be produced from Uranium-238 inside reactors. Uranium-233 is a fissile isotope that can be produced from Thorium-232. These relationships are crucial for understanding India's three-stage nuclear programme.
हिंदी: Uranium-235 naturally occurring fissile isotope है और nuclear reactors के लिए महत्वपूर्ण है। Plutonium-239 एक अन्य fissile material है जिसे reactors के भीतर Uranium-238 से produce किया जा सकता है। Uranium-233 को Thorium-232 से produce किया जा सकता है। ये relationships India's three-stage nuclear programme समझने के लिए अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण हैं।
6. Fissile and Fertile Material | Fissile और Fertile Material
English: UPSC candidates should carefully distinguish fissile and fertile materials. A fissile material can sustain a nuclear fission chain reaction with appropriate neutrons. U-235, Pu-239 and U-233 are important examples. Fertile material is not itself readily fissile under ordinary thermal-neutron conditions but can be converted into fissile material through neutron capture and subsequent nuclear transformations. U-238 and Th-232 are important fertile materials.
हिंदी: UPSC के लिए fissile और fertile materials का अंतर महत्वपूर्ण है। Fissile material उपयुक्त neutrons के साथ nuclear fission chain reaction sustain कर सकता है। U-235, Pu-239 और U-233 इसके महत्वपूर्ण examples हैं। Fertile material स्वयं सामान्य thermal-neutron conditions में आसानी से fissile नहीं होता, लेकिन neutron capture और subsequent nuclear transformations द्वारा fissile material में बदला जा सकता है। U-238 और Th-232 महत्वपूर्ण fertile materials हैं।
7. Why Does India Have a Three-Stage Nuclear Programme? | भारत का Three-Stage Nuclear Programme क्यों है?
English: India's three-stage nuclear programme was designed around the country's resource profile. India possesses relatively limited high-grade uranium resources compared with its substantial thorium resources. The programme therefore seeks to use uranium efficiently, generate plutonium in the initial stages and eventually utilise thorium to produce U-233 for nuclear power generation.
हिंदी: India's three-stage nuclear programme देश के nuclear resource profile को ध्यान में रखकर विकसित किया गया। भारत के पास high-grade uranium resources अपेक्षाकृत सीमित हैं, जबकि thorium resources महत्वपूर्ण हैं। इसलिए programme का उद्देश्य uranium का efficient use करना, शुरुआती stages में plutonium generate करना और अंततः thorium का उपयोग करके U-233 के माध्यम से nuclear energy प्राप्त करना है।
8. Stage I: Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors | चरण I: PHWR
English: The first stage is centred on Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors or PHWRs. These reactors can use natural uranium as fuel and heavy water as moderator and coolant. During operation, energy is generated from uranium while some U-238 is converted into plutonium isotopes, including fissile Pu-239, which becomes important for the second stage.
हिंदी: First stage मुख्य रूप से Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors अर्थात PHWRs पर आधारित है। ये reactors natural uranium को fuel तथा heavy water को moderator और coolant के रूप में उपयोग कर सकते हैं। Operation के दौरान uranium से energy generate होती है और कुछ U-238 plutonium isotopes, विशेषकर fissile Pu-239, में convert होता है, जो second stage के लिए महत्वपूर्ण है।
9. What is Heavy Water? | Heavy Water क्या है?
English: Ordinary water is predominantly H2O, whereas heavy water contains a much higher proportion of deuterium and is represented as D2O. Deuterium is an isotope of hydrogen containing one proton and one neutron in its nucleus. Heavy water is useful as a neutron moderator because it slows neutrons while absorbing relatively few of them.
हिंदी: Ordinary water मुख्य रूप से H2O होता है, जबकि heavy water में deuterium की मात्रा अधिक होती है और इसे D2O के रूप में दर्शाया जाता है। Deuterium hydrogen का isotope है जिसके nucleus में 1 proton और 1 neutron होता है। Heavy water neutron moderator के रूप में उपयोगी है क्योंकि यह neutrons को slow करता है लेकिन comparatively कम neutrons absorb करता है।
10. Moderator in a Nuclear Reactor | Nuclear Reactor में Moderator
English: A moderator slows down fast neutrons produced during fission. Slower neutrons can increase the probability of further fission in certain reactor fuels such as U-235. Heavy water and ordinary light water can serve as moderators in different reactor designs. A moderator should not be confused with control rods.
हिंदी: Moderator fission के दौरान उत्पन्न fast neutrons को slow करता है। Slow neutrons कुछ reactor fuels, जैसे U-235, में further fission की probability बढ़ा सकते हैं। Different reactor designs में heavy water या ordinary light water moderator के रूप में उपयोग हो सकते हैं। Moderator को control rods के साथ confuse नहीं करना चाहिए।
11. Control Rods | Control Rods क्या करते हैं?
English: Control rods absorb neutrons and thereby regulate the rate of the nuclear chain reaction. Materials capable of absorbing neutrons, such as boron-containing materials, may be used for this purpose. Inserting control rods further into the reactor core generally reduces the reaction rate.
हिंदी: Control rods neutrons को absorb करके nuclear chain reaction की rate regulate करते हैं। Boron-containing materials जैसे neutron-absorbing substances इस purpose के लिए उपयोग किए जा सकते हैं। Control rods को reactor core में अधिक insert करने पर सामान्यतः chain reaction की rate कम होती है।
12. Stage II: Fast Breeder Reactors | चरण II: Fast Breeder Reactors
English: India's second stage centres on Fast Breeder Reactors. These reactors are designed to use plutonium-based fuel while converting fertile materials into additional fissile material. The word 'breeder' refers to the ability of a reactor system to produce fissile material from fertile material, potentially generating more fissile material than it consumes under appropriate configurations.
हिंदी: India's second stage Fast Breeder Reactors पर आधारित है। ये reactors plutonium-based fuel का उपयोग करते हुए fertile materials को additional fissile material में convert करने के लिए designed हैं। 'Breeder' शब्द reactor की उस क्षमता को दर्शाता है जिसमें fertile material से fissile material produce किया जाता है और appropriate configuration में consumed fissile material की तुलना में अधिक fissile material उत्पन्न किया जा सकता है।
13. Fast Neutrons and Breeder Reactors | Fast Neutrons और Breeder Reactors
English: Fast reactors generally operate without slowing neutrons to thermal energies. This distinguishes them from many thermal reactors. Fast-neutron spectra can enable efficient breeding and utilisation of plutonium and other actinides. Therefore, statements claiming that every nuclear reactor necessarily requires a moderator should be treated cautiously.
हिंदी: Fast reactors सामान्यतः neutrons को thermal energies तक slow किए बिना operate करते हैं। यह उन्हें अनेक thermal reactors से अलग बनाता है। Fast-neutron spectrum plutonium और अन्य actinides के efficient utilisation तथा breeding में सहायता कर सकता है। इसलिए यह statement कि प्रत्येक nuclear reactor को moderator आवश्यक रूप से चाहिए, सही नहीं है।
14. Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor | Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor
English: India's Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor, or PFBR, is located at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu. It is a major component of India's transition toward the second stage of the three-stage nuclear programme. Kalpakkam is therefore an important location for Prelims map-based and technology questions.
हिंदी: India's Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor अर्थात PFBR Tamil Nadu के Kalpakkam में स्थित है। यह India's three-stage nuclear programme के second stage की दिशा में एक महत्वपूर्ण component है। इसलिए Kalpakkam UPSC Prelims के map-based और technology questions के लिए महत्वपूर्ण location है।
15. Stage III: Thorium-Uranium-233 Cycle | चरण III: Thorium-Uranium-233 Cycle
English: The third stage seeks large-scale utilisation of India's thorium resources. Thorium-232 is fertile rather than fissile. Through neutron absorption and subsequent nuclear transformations, it can ultimately produce fissile Uranium-233. U-233 can then be used to sustain nuclear energy production.
हिंदी: Third stage का उद्देश्य India's thorium resources का large-scale utilisation करना है। Thorium-232 fissile नहीं बल्कि fertile material है। Neutron absorption और subsequent nuclear transformations के माध्यम से इससे अंततः fissile Uranium-233 produce किया जा सकता है। U-233 का उपयोग nuclear energy production के लिए किया जा सकता है।
16. UPSC Trap: Is Thorium Directly a Nuclear Fuel? | UPSC Trap: क्या Thorium सीधे Fissile Fuel है?
English: Thorium-232 should not be treated as a naturally fissile material comparable to U-235. It is primarily fertile. It must first be converted through a nuclear breeding process into fissile U-233. This distinction is one of the most important potential Prelims traps in India's nuclear programme.
हिंदी: Thorium-232 को U-235 की तरह naturally fissile material नहीं मानना चाहिए। यह primarily fertile material है। Nuclear breeding process के माध्यम से इसे पहले fissile U-233 में convert करना पड़ता है। India's nuclear programme से संबंधित Prelims questions में यह distinction अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण है।
17. Where is Thorium Found in India? | भारत में Thorium कहाँ पाया जाता है?
English: India's thorium potential is strongly associated with monazite-bearing beach and placer sands, especially along parts of the coastal regions. Monazite is a phosphate mineral containing rare-earth elements and thorium. Coastal mineral sands of states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are important in this context.
हिंदी: India's thorium potential monazite-bearing beach और placer sands से closely associated है, विशेषकर कुछ coastal regions में। Monazite एक phosphate mineral है जिसमें rare-earth elements तथा thorium पाया जाता है। Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha और Andhra Pradesh जैसे coastal states के mineral sands इस context में महत्वपूर्ण हैं।
18. Small Modular Reactors | Small Modular Reactors क्या हैं?
English: Small Modular Reactors or SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors characterised by relatively smaller unit capacity and modular approaches to construction. Components may be manufactured in factories and assembled at or near the site. Their smaller size can potentially permit flexible deployment, incremental capacity addition and application in locations unsuitable for very large conventional reactors.
हिंदी: Small Modular Reactors अर्थात SMRs advanced nuclear reactors हैं जिनकी individual unit capacity conventional large reactors की तुलना में relatively छोटी होती है और construction में modular approach अपनाई जा सकती है। Components को factories में manufacture करके site पर assemble किया जा सकता है। Smaller size flexible deployment, incremental capacity addition और उन locations में application की संभावना प्रदान करता है जहाँ बहुत बड़े conventional reactors suitable नहीं हों।
19. India's SMR Push | भारत का SMR अभियान
English: India's recent nuclear policy has placed significant emphasis on indigenous SMR development. The Union Budget 2025-26 announced a Nuclear Energy Mission for research and development of Small Modular Reactors with an outlay of ₹20,000 crore. The broader policy seeks indigenous technological capability and expansion of nuclear energy's role in India's long-term energy transition.
हिंदी: India's recent nuclear policy में indigenous SMR development पर विशेष जोर दिया गया है। Union Budget 2025-26 में Small Modular Reactors के research and development के लिए ₹20,000 crore outlay के साथ Nuclear Energy Mission की घोषणा की गई थी। Broader policy का उद्देश्य indigenous technological capability विकसित करना और India's long-term energy transition में nuclear energy की भूमिका बढ़ाना है।
20. Bharat Small Modular Reactors | Bharat SMRs
English: India is exploring indigenous small-reactor solutions, including Bharat Small Modular Reactor concepts. For Prelims, candidates should distinguish a technological category such as SMR from a particular Indian reactor programme or design. SMR is a broad reactor concept and is not synonymous with one single reactor technology worldwide.
हिंदी: भारत indigenous small-reactor solutions explore कर रहा है, जिनमें Bharat Small Modular Reactor concepts शामिल हैं। Prelims के लिए SMR जैसी technological category और किसी particular Indian reactor programme/design के बीच distinction समझना चाहिए। SMR worldwide केवल एक specific reactor technology का नाम नहीं बल्कि broader reactor concept है।
21. Department of Atomic Energy | परमाणु ऊर्जा विभाग
English: The Department of Atomic Energy, or DAE, is central to India's nuclear programme. It was established in 1954. A distinctive Prelims fact is that the Department of Atomic Energy functions under the direct charge of the Prime Minister.
हिंदी: Department of Atomic Energy अर्थात DAE India's nuclear programme का प्रमुख institutional pillar है। इसकी स्थापना 1954 में हुई थी। Prelims के लिए महत्वपूर्ण तथ्य है कि Department of Atomic Energy Prime Minister के direct charge के अंतर्गत कार्य करता है।
22. Atomic Energy Commission | परमाणु ऊर्जा आयोग
English: The Atomic Energy Commission is an important policy-making body associated with India's atomic-energy programme. Candidates should distinguish the Atomic Energy Commission from regulatory, research and power-generation organisations within the wider nuclear ecosystem.
हिंदी: Atomic Energy Commission India's atomic-energy programme से संबंधित महत्वपूर्ण policy-making body है। Candidates को Atomic Energy Commission को wider nuclear ecosystem में regulatory, research और power-generation organisations से अलग समझना चाहिए।
23. Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited | NPCIL
English: Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, or NPCIL, is a major public-sector enterprise responsible for the design, construction, commissioning and operation of nuclear power reactors under the administrative framework of the Department of Atomic Energy. It is particularly associated with India's commercial nuclear power programme.
हिंदी: Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited अर्थात NPCIL Department of Atomic Energy के administrative framework के अंतर्गत nuclear power reactors के design, construction, commissioning और operation से जुड़ा प्रमुख public-sector enterprise है। यह India's commercial nuclear power programme से विशेष रूप से associated है।
24. Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited | BHAVINI
English: BHAVINI is particularly associated with India's fast breeder reactor programme and the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam. UPSC may test the distinction between NPCIL and BHAVINI.
हिंदी: BHAVINI विशेष रूप से India's fast breeder reactor programme तथा Kalpakkam स्थित Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor से associated है। UPSC NPCIL और BHAVINI के बीच distinction पूछ सकता है।
25. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre | BARC
English: Bhabha Atomic Research Centre is India's premier multidisciplinary nuclear research centre and is located at Trombay, Mumbai. It works across nuclear science, reactor technology, fuel-cycle technologies, radiation applications and several related fields.
हिंदी: Bhabha Atomic Research Centre India's premier multidisciplinary nuclear research centre है और Trombay, Mumbai में स्थित है। यह nuclear science, reactor technology, fuel-cycle technologies, radiation applications और related fields में कार्य करता है।
26. Homi J. Bhabha and India's Nuclear Programme | होमी जे. भाभा
English: Dr Homi Jehangir Bhabha played a foundational role in building India's atomic-energy programme and is closely associated with the vision of the three-stage strategy designed to exploit India's thorium potential.
हिंदी: Dr Homi Jehangir Bhabha ने India's atomic-energy programme की foundation तैयार करने में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाई और India's thorium potential के long-term utilisation से संबंधित three-stage strategy के vision से closely associated रहे।
27. Atomic Energy Regulatory Board | AERB
English: The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board performs regulatory functions relating to nuclear and radiation safety in India. Its role includes safety oversight and regulatory requirements for nuclear and radiation facilities and activities. Candidates should not confuse AERB with NPCIL: AERB is associated with regulation and safety oversight, while NPCIL operates nuclear power plants.
हिंदी: Atomic Energy Regulatory Board अर्थात AERB India में nuclear और radiation safety से संबंधित regulatory functions करता है। इसका role nuclear और radiation facilities तथा activities के safety oversight और regulatory requirements से जुड़ा है। AERB को NPCIL से confuse नहीं करना चाहिए: AERB regulation और safety oversight से associated है, जबकि NPCIL nuclear power plants operate करता है।
28. International Atomic Energy Agency | IAEA
English: The International Atomic Energy Agency is an autonomous international organisation within the United Nations system and is headquartered in Vienna, Austria. It promotes peaceful uses of nuclear technology and plays major roles relating to nuclear safeguards, safety and security.
हिंदी: International Atomic Energy Agency अर्थात IAEA United Nations system से जुड़ी autonomous international organisation है और इसका headquarters Vienna, Austria में है। यह peaceful uses of nuclear technology को promote करती है तथा nuclear safeguards, safety और security में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाती है।
29. IAEA Safeguards | IAEA Safeguards
English: Safeguards are verification measures through which the IAEA seeks to verify that nuclear material and activities subject to safeguards are not diverted from peaceful purposes. Safeguards should not be confused with nuclear safety or nuclear security. Safety concerns prevention and mitigation of accidents, whereas security concerns protection against malicious acts.
हिंदी: Safeguards verification measures हैं जिनके माध्यम से IAEA यह verify करती है कि safeguards के अधीन nuclear material और activities को peaceful purposes से divert नहीं किया जा रहा। Safeguards को nuclear safety या nuclear security से confuse नहीं करना चाहिए। Safety accidents की prevention और mitigation से संबंधित है, जबकि security malicious acts से protection से संबंधित है।
30. India and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty | भारत और NPT
English: India is not a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly called the NPT. This is an important recurring Prelims fact. India has nevertheless developed civil nuclear cooperation arrangements and engages with the IAEA under applicable safeguards arrangements.
हिंदी: भारत Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons अर्थात NPT का party नहीं है। यह recurring Prelims fact है। इसके बावजूद भारत ने civil nuclear cooperation arrangements विकसित किए हैं और applicable safeguards arrangements के अंतर्गत IAEA के साथ engage करता है।
31. Nuclear Suppliers Group | NSG
English: The Nuclear Suppliers Group is a group of nuclear-supplier countries that seeks to contribute to non-proliferation through guidelines governing nuclear exports and nuclear-related exports. It is not an organ of the United Nations. India obtained a special waiver from NSG participating governments in 2008 enabling international civil nuclear commerce under specified arrangements, but India is not presently a member of the NSG.
हिंदी: Nuclear Suppliers Group अर्थात NSG nuclear-supplier countries का group है जो nuclear और nuclear-related exports के लिए guidelines के माध्यम से non-proliferation में योगदान देने का प्रयास करता है। यह United Nations का organ नहीं है। 2008 में India को NSG participating governments से special waiver मिला जिससे specified arrangements के अंतर्गत international civil nuclear commerce का मार्ग खुला, लेकिन India वर्तमान में NSG का member नहीं है।
32. Nuclear Energy and Climate Change | परमाणु ऊर्जा और जलवायु परिवर्तन
English: Nuclear power produces very low operational carbon emissions and can provide continuous electricity. Consequently, it is increasingly discussed as part of decarbonisation strategies. Unlike solar and wind, nuclear output is not directly dependent on sunshine or wind availability, though reactors have their own operational and maintenance constraints.
हिंदी: Nuclear power operational stage पर बहुत कम carbon emissions के साथ electricity produce करती है और continuous power provide कर सकती है। इसलिए decarbonisation strategies में इसकी भूमिका पर increasingly चर्चा हो रही है। Solar और wind के विपरीत nuclear output directly sunshine या wind availability पर dependent नहीं है, हालांकि reactors की अपनी operational और maintenance constraints होती हैं।
33. Baseload Power | Baseload Power क्या है?
English: Baseload refers broadly to the relatively continuous minimum level of electricity demand that must be met over time. Nuclear plants are often associated with stable, high-capacity-factor electricity generation and can contribute to reliable grid supply. However, UPSC candidates should avoid assuming that 'baseload' is itself a particular source of energy.
हिंदी: Baseload broadly उस relatively continuous minimum electricity demand को दर्शाता है जिसे समय के साथ पूरा करना आवश्यक होता है। Nuclear plants stable और high-capacity-factor electricity generation से associated हैं और reliable grid supply में योगदान दे सकते हैं। लेकिन 'baseload' स्वयं कोई particular energy source नहीं है।
34. Nuclear Energy and Renewable Energy | Nuclear और Renewable Energy
English: Nuclear energy is a low-carbon energy source but is generally not classified as a renewable energy source in the conventional sense because uranium and other nuclear fuel resources are finite mineral resources. Therefore, the terms 'clean', 'low-carbon' and 'renewable' should not automatically be treated as synonyms.
हिंदी: Nuclear energy low-carbon energy source है, लेकिन conventional classification में इसे सामान्यतः renewable energy source नहीं माना जाता क्योंकि uranium और अन्य nuclear fuel resources finite mineral resources हैं। इसलिए 'clean', 'low-carbon' और 'renewable' को automatically synonyms नहीं मानना चाहिए।
35. Nuclear Energy Beyond Electricity | बिजली के अलावा Nuclear Technology
English: Nuclear science and radiation technologies have applications far beyond electricity generation. They are used in healthcare, agriculture, food preservation, industry, scientific research, water management and other sectors. UPSC frequently frames questions by presenting nuclear technology only as a power-generation technology; such statements can be misleading.
हिंदी: Nuclear science और radiation technologies के applications electricity generation से बहुत आगे तक हैं। इनका उपयोग healthcare, agriculture, food preservation, industry, scientific research, water management तथा अन्य sectors में किया जाता है। इसलिए nuclear technology को केवल electricity-generation technology मानना गलत होगा।
36. Nuclear Medicine | Nuclear Medicine
English: Radioisotopes are widely used for medical diagnosis and treatment. Nuclear medicine can help image physiological processes within the body, while selected radioisotopes are used therapeutically, including in cancer treatment. Radiation technology therefore has an important public-health dimension.
हिंदी: Radioisotopes का medical diagnosis और treatment में व्यापक उपयोग होता है। Nuclear medicine body के physiological processes की imaging में सहायता कर सकती है, जबकि selected radioisotopes therapeutic purposes, including cancer treatment, में उपयोग किए जाते हैं। इसलिए radiation technology का महत्वपूर्ण public-health dimension है।
37. Radiation in Agriculture | कृषि में विकिरण तकनीक
English: Radiation techniques can support mutation breeding for development of useful crop varieties. Isotopic techniques can also help study soil-water-nutrient relationships. Radiation should therefore not be associated only with destructive or military applications.
हिंदी: Radiation techniques useful crop varieties develop करने के लिए mutation breeding में उपयोग हो सकती हैं। Isotopic techniques soil-water-nutrient relationships के study में भी सहायक हो सकती हैं। इसलिए radiation को केवल destructive या military applications से associate करना गलत है।
38. Food Irradiation | Food Irradiation
English: Food irradiation exposes food to controlled ionising radiation for purposes such as reducing microorganisms, delaying sprouting or improving shelf life. Importantly, properly irradiated food does not become radioactive merely because it has been exposed to radiation under approved conditions.
हिंदी: Food irradiation में food को controlled ionising radiation के संपर्क में लाया जाता है ताकि microorganisms कम किए जा सकें, sprouting delay हो या shelf life बढ़ सके। महत्वपूर्ण तथ्य यह है कि approved conditions में irradiation के कारण food स्वयं radioactive नहीं बन जाता।
39. Nuclear Desalination | Nuclear Desalination
English: Heat and electricity from nuclear facilities can support desalination processes for producing freshwater from saline water. Nuclear technology can therefore intersect with water security as well as energy security.
हिंदी: Nuclear facilities से प्राप्त heat और electricity desalination processes को support कर सकती है, जिसके माध्यम से saline water से freshwater produce किया जाता है। इस प्रकार nuclear technology energy security के साथ water security से भी जुड़ सकती है।
40. Nuclear Energy and Hydrogen | Nuclear Energy और Hydrogen
English: Nuclear reactors can potentially support hydrogen production through electricity-driven electrolysis or through advanced high-temperature and thermochemical processes. India has also demonstrated research linking nuclear heat with thermochemical hydrogen production. This creates an important intersection between nuclear technology and the emerging clean-hydrogen economy.
हिंदी: Nuclear reactors electricity-driven electrolysis या advanced high-temperature तथा thermochemical processes के माध्यम से hydrogen production को support कर सकते हैं। India ने nuclear heat को thermochemical hydrogen production से जोड़ने वाली research भी demonstrate की है। यह nuclear technology और emerging clean-hydrogen economy के बीच महत्वपूर्ण connection बनाता है।
41. Nuclear Waste | परमाणु अपशिष्ट
English: Radioactive waste requires careful classification, treatment, conditioning, storage and disposal depending on its characteristics and level of radioactivity. Some spent nuclear fuel may contain materials capable of being recovered and reused through reprocessing. India's nuclear strategy has historically emphasised a closed fuel-cycle approach involving reprocessing and recycling of useful nuclear materials.
हिंदी: Radioactive waste को उसकी characteristics और radioactivity level के अनुसार classification, treatment, conditioning, storage और disposal की आवश्यकता होती है। कुछ spent nuclear fuel में ऐसे materials हो सकते हैं जिन्हें reprocessing के माध्यम से recover और reuse किया जा सके। India's nuclear strategy ने historically closed fuel-cycle approach पर जोर दिया है जिसमें useful nuclear materials का reprocessing और recycling शामिल है।
42. Open and Closed Nuclear Fuel Cycles | Open और Closed Fuel Cycle
English: In a once-through or open fuel cycle, spent fuel is ultimately treated primarily as waste for disposal after storage. In a closed fuel cycle, useful materials such as uranium and plutonium can be separated through reprocessing and recycled into nuclear fuel. India's three-stage strategy is closely linked with the logic of a closed fuel cycle.
हिंदी: Once-through या open fuel cycle में spent fuel को storage के बाद मुख्य रूप से waste के रूप में final disposal की दिशा में ले जाया जाता है। Closed fuel cycle में uranium और plutonium जैसे useful materials को reprocessing द्वारा separate करके nuclear fuel में recycle किया जा सकता है। India's three-stage strategy closed fuel cycle के logic से closely linked है।
43. Nuclear Safety, Security and Safeguards | Safety, Security और Safeguards
English: These three terms must be distinguished. Nuclear safety focuses on preventing accidents and reducing their consequences. Nuclear security focuses on preventing theft, sabotage, unauthorised access and malicious acts involving nuclear or radioactive materials. Nuclear safeguards primarily concern verification that safeguarded nuclear materials are not diverted from peaceful purposes.
हिंदी: Nuclear safety, security और safeguards तीन अलग concepts हैं। Nuclear safety accidents रोकने और उनके consequences कम करने से संबंधित है। Nuclear security theft, sabotage, unauthorised access और malicious acts से protection से संबंधित है। Nuclear safeguards मुख्य रूप से verification से संबंधित हैं कि safeguarded nuclear materials को peaceful purposes से divert नहीं किया जा रहा।
44. Defence in Depth | Defence in Depth
English: Nuclear safety employs multiple physical barriers, engineered safety systems, operating procedures and emergency arrangements. The principle of defence in depth means that safety should not depend on one single barrier or system. Multiple independent or complementary layers are used to prevent failures and mitigate consequences if failures occur.
हिंदी: Nuclear safety में multiple physical barriers, engineered safety systems, operating procedures और emergency arrangements का उपयोग किया जाता है। Defence in depth का अर्थ है कि safety केवल एक single barrier या system पर depend न करे। Failures रोकने और failure होने पर consequences mitigate करने के लिए multiple layers का उपयोग किया जाता है।
45. Major Nuclear Power Sites in India | भारत के प्रमुख Nuclear Power Sites
English: Important nuclear-power locations for Prelims map practice include Tarapur in Maharashtra, Rawatbhata in Rajasthan, Narora in Uttar Pradesh, Kakrapar in Gujarat, Kaiga in Karnataka, Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu and Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu. Candidates should learn both the plant and the corresponding state.
हिंदी: Prelims map practice के लिए important nuclear-power locations में Maharashtra का Tarapur, Rajasthan का Rawatbhata, Uttar Pradesh का Narora, Gujarat का Kakrapar, Karnataka का Kaiga तथा Tamil Nadu के Kalpakkam और Kudankulam शामिल हैं। Candidates को plant-location के साथ corresponding state भी याद रखना चाहिए।
46. Tarapur Atomic Power Station | तारापुर परमाणु ऊर्जा स्टेशन
English: Tarapur in Maharashtra has special historical significance because India's commercial nuclear-power journey began there in 1969. It remains an important factual location for UPSC.
हिंदी: Maharashtra स्थित Tarapur का विशेष historical significance है क्योंकि India's commercial nuclear-power journey 1969 में यहाँ से शुरू हुई। UPSC के लिए यह महत्वपूर्ण factual location है।
47. Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant | कुडनकुलम परमाणु ऊर्जा संयंत्र
English: Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant is located in Tamil Nadu and uses Russian-origin VVER reactor technology. VVER is a type of pressurised water reactor. Candidates should not confuse Kudankulam's reactor technology with India's indigenous PHWR fleet.
हिंदी: Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant Tamil Nadu में स्थित है और Russian-origin VVER reactor technology का उपयोग करता है। VVER pressurised water reactor का एक प्रकार है। Candidates को Kudankulam की reactor technology को India's indigenous PHWR fleet के साथ confuse नहीं करना चाहिए।
48. Kakrapar and Indigenous PHWR Technology | काकरापार और Indigenous PHWR
English: Kakrapar in Gujarat is an important site in India's indigenous PHWR development. India's 700 MW PHWR programme represents a significant expansion of domestically developed reactor technology and manufacturing capabilities.
हिंदी: Gujarat का Kakrapar India's indigenous PHWR development के संदर्भ में महत्वपूर्ण site है। India's 700 MW PHWR programme domestically developed reactor technology और manufacturing capabilities के विस्तार का महत्वपूर्ण उदाहरण है।
49. Why Nuclear Energy is Important for India | भारत के लिए Nuclear Energy का महत्व
English: Nuclear energy can contribute to energy security, low-carbon electricity, grid reliability, reduction of fossil-fuel dependence, industrial development and technological self-reliance. It may also support hydrogen production, desalination, healthcare and agricultural applications.
हिंदी: Nuclear energy energy security, low-carbon electricity, grid reliability, fossil-fuel dependence में कमी, industrial development और technological self-reliance में योगदान कर सकती है। यह hydrogen production, desalination, healthcare और agricultural applications को भी support कर सकती है।
50. Challenges | चुनौतियाँ
English: Nuclear expansion involves challenges such as high upfront capital costs, long construction periods for large reactors, radioactive-waste management, safety requirements, public acceptance, land and water requirements, fuel availability, supply-chain constraints and the need for strong regulation and skilled human resources.
हिंदी: Nuclear expansion के सामने high upfront capital cost, large reactors के long construction periods, radioactive-waste management, safety requirements, public acceptance, land और water requirements, fuel availability, supply-chain constraints तथा strong regulation और skilled human resources की आवश्यकता जैसी challenges हैं।
51. Nuclear Liability | Nuclear Liability
English: Civil nuclear liability concerns legal responsibility and compensation in the event of a nuclear incident. Liability frameworks are important because nuclear accidents, although designed to be extremely unlikely, may have consequences extending across people, property and the environment. For Prelims, candidates should distinguish nuclear liability from ordinary reactor regulation and nuclear safeguards.
हिंदी: Civil nuclear liability nuclear incident की स्थिति में legal responsibility और compensation से संबंधित है। Nuclear accidents की probability को अत्यंत कम रखने के लिए systems बनाए जाते हैं, लेकिन संभावित consequences people, property और environment तक विस्तृत हो सकते हैं। Prelims में nuclear liability को ordinary reactor regulation और nuclear safeguards से अलग समझना चाहिए।
52. UPSC Prelims Trap 1 | UPSC Prelims Trap 1
English: Thorium-232 is fertile, not directly fissile. U-233 produced from thorium is fissile.
हिंदी: Thorium-232 fertile है, directly fissile नहीं। Thorium से produced U-233 fissile है।
53. UPSC Prelims Trap 2 | UPSC Prelims Trap 2
English: Heavy water is a moderator in PHWRs and also functions as coolant in the PHWR system. Control rods, however, regulate the chain reaction by absorbing neutrons. Moderator and control rod are therefore not synonymous.
हिंदी: PHWRs में heavy water moderator है और PHWR system में coolant की भूमिका भी निभाता है। दूसरी ओर control rods neutrons absorb करके chain reaction regulate करते हैं। इसलिए moderator और control rod समान नहीं हैं।
54. UPSC Prelims Trap 3 | UPSC Prelims Trap 3
English: India is not a party to the NPT and is not a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group. However, India engages in international civil nuclear cooperation and has an India-specific safeguards arrangement with the IAEA for relevant civilian facilities.
हिंदी: India NPT का party नहीं है और Nuclear Suppliers Group का member भी नहीं है। फिर भी India international civil nuclear cooperation में participate करता है तथा relevant civilian facilities के लिए IAEA के साथ India-specific safeguards arrangement रखता है।
55. UPSC Prelims Trap 4 | UPSC Prelims Trap 4
English: Nuclear power is low-carbon but is not conventionally classified as renewable energy. 'Low-carbon', 'clean energy' and 'renewable energy' should not automatically be treated as identical categories.
हिंदी: Nuclear power low-carbon है, लेकिन conventional classification में renewable energy नहीं है। 'Low-carbon', 'clean energy' और 'renewable energy' को automatically identical categories नहीं मानना चाहिए।
56. UPSC Prelims Trap 5 | UPSC Prelims Trap 5
English: All nuclear reactors do not necessarily use a moderator. Fast reactors are specifically designed to operate with a fast-neutron spectrum.
हिंदी: सभी nuclear reactors में moderator आवश्यक नहीं होता। Fast reactors specifically fast-neutron spectrum के साथ operate करने के लिए designed होते हैं।
57. UPSC Prelims Trap 6 | UPSC Prelims Trap 6
English: Food irradiation does not automatically make food radioactive. The purpose is controlled application of ionising radiation to achieve outcomes such as microbial reduction or shelf-life extension.
हिंदी: Food irradiation food को automatically radioactive नहीं बनाता। इसका उद्देश्य controlled ionising radiation का उपयोग करके microorganisms कम करना या shelf life बढ़ाना है।
58. Three-Stage Programme: One-Line Revision | तीन चरणों का Quick Revision
English: Stage I: Natural uranium + PHWR → electricity and plutonium production. Stage II: Fast Breeder Reactors → greater utilisation of plutonium and breeding of additional fissile material. Stage III: Thorium-based systems → conversion of Th-232 toward fissile U-233 and long-term utilisation of India's thorium resources.
हिंदी: Stage I: Natural uranium + PHWR → electricity और plutonium production। Stage II: Fast Breeder Reactors → plutonium utilisation और additional fissile material breeding। Stage III: Thorium-based systems → Th-232 को fissile U-233 की दिशा में convert करके India's thorium resources का long-term utilisation।
59. Institution Revision | संस्थाओं का Quick Revision
English: DAE — overall atomic-energy establishment under the direct charge of the Prime Minister. NPCIL — commercial nuclear power reactors. BHAVINI — fast breeder programme/PFBR. BARC — nuclear research and technology. AERB — nuclear and radiation safety regulation. IAEA — international organisation promoting peaceful nuclear applications and dealing with safeguards, safety and security.
हिंदी: DAE — Prime Minister के direct charge के अंतर्गत atomic-energy establishment। NPCIL — commercial nuclear power reactors। BHAVINI — fast breeder programme/PFBR। BARC — nuclear research और technology। AERB — nuclear और radiation safety regulation। IAEA — peaceful nuclear applications, safeguards, safety और security से संबंधित international organisation।
60. Location Revision | स्थान आधारित Revision
English: Tarapur — Maharashtra; Rawatbhata — Rajasthan; Narora — Uttar Pradesh; Kakrapar — Gujarat; Kaiga — Karnataka; Kalpakkam — Tamil Nadu; Kudankulam — Tamil Nadu. Kalpakkam is especially important because of India's fast breeder programme.
हिंदी: Tarapur — Maharashtra; Rawatbhata — Rajasthan; Narora — Uttar Pradesh; Kakrapar — Gujarat; Kaiga — Karnataka; Kalpakkam — Tamil Nadu; Kudankulam — Tamil Nadu। Kalpakkam India's fast breeder programme के कारण विशेष रूप से महत्वपूर्ण है।
61. Why This Topic is Important for UPSC Prelims 2027 | UPSC Prelims 2027 के लिए क्यों महत्वपूर्ण?
English: Nuclear energy combines current affairs with multiple static areas: physics, mineral resources, international organisations, environment, energy security, geography, government institutions and climate change. This allows UPSC to construct multi-statement questions in which one current-affairs statement is combined with two or three static concepts.
हिंदी: Nuclear energy current affairs को physics, mineral resources, international organisations, environment, energy security, geography, government institutions और climate change जैसे static areas से जोड़ती है। इसलिए UPSC आसानी से ऐसे multi-statement questions बना सकता है जिनमें एक current-affairs statement के साथ 2-3 static concepts जोड़े जाएँ।
62. Final Prelims Revision Box | अंतिम Prelims Revision Box
English:
• India currently operates 24 nuclear power reactors with approximately 8.78 GW capacity.
• Long-term nuclear capacity objective: about 100 GW by 2047.
• India's nuclear strategy follows a three-stage approach.
• PHWRs are central to Stage I.
• Fast Breeder Reactors are central to Stage II.
• Thorium/U-233 utilisation is central to Stage III.
• Th-232 is fertile; U-233 is fissile.
• U-238 is fertile; Pu-239 is fissile.
• Heavy water is D2O.
• PFBR is at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.
• Tarapur is in Maharashtra.
• Kudankulam is in Tamil Nadu and uses VVER technology.
• India is not a party to the NPT.
• India is not presently a member of NSG.
• IAEA headquarters: Vienna, Austria.
• Nuclear energy is low-carbon but not conventionally renewable.
• Nuclear technology has applications in medicine, agriculture, food preservation, industry, desalination and hydrogen production.
हिंदी:
• India लगभग 8.78 GW capacity वाले 24 nuclear power reactors operate करता है।
• 2047 तक long-term nuclear capacity objective लगभग 100 GW है।
• India's nuclear strategy three-stage approach पर आधारित है।
• Stage I — PHWR।
• Stage II — Fast Breeder Reactors।
• Stage III — Thorium/U-233 utilisation।
• Th-232 fertile है; U-233 fissile है।
• U-238 fertile है; Pu-239 fissile है।
• Heavy water = D2O।
• PFBR — Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu।
• Tarapur — Maharashtra।
• Kudankulam — Tamil Nadu; VVER technology।
• India NPT का party नहीं है।
• India वर्तमान में NSG member नहीं है।
• IAEA headquarters — Vienna, Austria।
• Nuclear energy low-carbon है लेकिन conventionally renewable नहीं है।
• Nuclear technology medicine, agriculture, food preservation, industry, desalination और hydrogen production में भी उपयोगी है।
Conclusion | निष्कर्ष
English: India's nuclear programme represents an intersection of energy security, climate policy, strategic technology and scientific self-reliance. Its distinctive three-stage programme seeks to move from uranium-based PHWRs through fast breeder technology toward long-term utilisation of thorium. The renewed emphasis on nuclear capacity, indigenous reactor development and Small Modular Reactors makes the subject especially important for UPSC Prelims 2027. Candidates should prepare it not merely as a current-affairs topic but as an integrated science, geography, environment and international-relations topic.
हिंदी: India's nuclear programme energy security, climate policy, strategic technology और scientific self-reliance का intersection है। इसका distinctive three-stage programme uranium-based PHWRs से fast breeder technology और अंततः thorium के long-term utilisation की दिशा में आगे बढ़ता है। Nuclear capacity expansion, indigenous reactor development और Small Modular Reactors पर renewed emphasis के कारण यह UPSC Prelims 2027 के लिए अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण विषय है। Candidates को इसे केवल current-affairs topic के रूप में नहीं बल्कि science, geography, environment और international relations के integrated topic के रूप में तैयार करना चाहिए।
Attempt : UPSC Prelims 2027 Current Affairs Quiz: Nuclear Energy in India